Winter vegetable: Tasty parsnips

Local is the food trend and while much of Ontario produce is no longer in season, parsnips remain available into November. Here's a trio of presentation ideas, from Foodland Ontario:

- A memorable mash. For a creamy side dish, mash boiled chunks of parsnips with butter and milk. Or, add parsnips to potatoes for a flavourful twist on a classic.

- A great grate. Add grated Ontario parsnips to vegetable, potato or carrot soup. Grated parsnips are also tasty in salads with sliced beets and carrots.

- Roasted and delicious. Toss chunks of parsnips with pieces of Ontario carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabaga and leeks with your favourite herbs. Roast the vegetables at 400 F (200 C) for about 40 minutes until fork-tender.

Buying and storing. Select firm, unshrivelled parsnips of medium size (large ones can be woody). The skin should be relatively clean and free of blemishes. Parsnips will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator, stored in a plastic bag.

Nutrition. Parsnips are a good source of folate, potassium and fibre. They also contain phytochemicals that may help lower the risk of cancer.

FOOD AND WINE EVENTS

- Tonight. Seating may still be available for Viewpointe Estate Winery's mid-week dinner inspired by seasonal ingredients.

The Harvest Dinner, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., provides four courses, starting on the patio, weather permitting, and ending in the scenic Erie Room. Call the Colchester-area winery at 519-738-0690 for reservations; $35 per person; wine by the glass available to purchase.

Ask about Saturday and Sunday afternoon grape-to-glass tours this month, following the life of a grape from vineyard to bottled vintage. Cost $10. Viewpointe Estate Winery is located at 151 County Road 50 E., just east of Colchester; for more information see www.viewpointewinery.com.

- Friday. The Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland's Wines of the World event can sell out quickly. Tickets cost $70 each for the club's premier vintage and culinary event at the Fogolar Furlan Club; telephone 519-981-1713.

- Sunday. A wine tour benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with visits to three wineries in south Essex, Aleksander, Mastronardi and Muscedere. Tour includes lunch, bus transportation and tasting fees. Tickets cost $68 and a $20 tax receipt is available. For tickets, contact Richard Kokovai at rkokovai@cogeco.ca or 519-970-9022.

DINING OUT: TASTING NEWS AND NOTES

The closing of the former Chatham Street Grill removes one more choice from Windsor's downtown dining menu.

A reader recently offered a challenge with a request for an upscale place open on a Monday night for a formal gathering.

Great question. There are a few, but one has to search. Hint: look on Erie and Ottawa streets. Which brings up another point: call ahead. Many restaurants have revised their hours. This writer knows of a restaurant that still closes on a Tuesday. Go figure. So call ahead.

Amherstburg's Caldwell's Grant sent in a newsletter recently and a couple of items may be of interest. It offers a revised menu, but also on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, guests are encouraged to bring in a favourite, commercially bottled wine.

So, with entree selections available, one can find dinner for two under $30 before taxes. And there's even a bartender's special: Two pints of Walkerville Blonde and a pound of wings or fried calamari for $15; taxes included, but only available at the bar.

So, you peer in the fridge and you find some mushrooms, some salad dressing and a greenhouse cucumber. Voila, with this recipe from Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers you can have an unusual salad with a warm cucumber dressing.

Almost Done!

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